Nobel-winning UN food agency warns of ‘hunger pandemic’ worse than Covid

OSLO, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in aceremony held online because of the coronavirus, the World FoodProgramme (WFP) warned of a “hunger pandemic” it said couldbe worse than Covid-19. “Because of so many wars, climate change, the widespread use ofhunger as a political and military weapon,…

Covid-19: EU, Germany provide Taka 1145cr for workers affected by the pandemic

Dhaka, Dec 11 (NNN-BSS) – The European Union (EU) and Germany have provided Bangladesh with around Taka 1,145 crore to help COVID-19-hit workers in the export-oriented industries. At this effects, the EU and Germany signed an agreement to provide EUR 113 million (nearly 1,145 crore Taka) in support to Bangladesh…

Covid-19: Latinos in Los Angeles twice as likely to contract coronavirus

LOS ANGELES, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Latinos living in Los Angeles aretwice as likely to contract Covid-19 as the county’s white population, with“essential” in-person jobs and densely populated residences leaving the group highly exposed to the virus, the latest official data shows. By mid-November, the daily infection rate per 100,000…

Over 80 mn people displaced, a ‘bleak milestone’: UN

GENEVA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Despite calls for ceasefires and compassion amid the Covid-19 pandemic, violence and persecution have continued to force people from their homes, with record numbers now displaced, the UN said Wednesday. By the end of 2019, 79.5 million people were living uprooted and displaced,including nearly 30…

United Nations warns over forced displacement in Central America

GENEVA, Dec 9 (NNN-TELESUR) — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that the number of Central American people who have been forced to migrate will reach one million by the end of 2020 due to the increasing violence in the region. UNHCR officials noted that 470,000 refugees…

Russia ratifies deal on space cooperation with Argentina

MOSCOW, Dec 9 (NNN-TELESUR) — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ratified a protocol on space exploration cooperation for peaceful purposes signed with Argentinan authorities on Oct 8, 2019. Besides the optical-electronic surveillance to alert over dangerous situations in the circumterrestrial space, the Protocol allows the deployment of ground stations supervised by the…

Argentina passes new tax on the rich; opposition claims it will further deter foreign investment

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentina has passed a new wealth tax to help the government pay for health supplies and economic relief measures amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers in the Senate passed the bill, dubbed the “millionaire’s tax,” by 42 votes to 26 late on Friday. It…

UN raises $370 million for 2021 emergency fund

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nationsannounced it has raised more than $370 million for its emergency fundto help respond to crises in 2021. More than 50 donors pledged money to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), managed by the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Mark Lowcock, according…

737 MAX to return to skies Wednesday in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 21 months after it wasgrounded following two deadly crashes, the Boeing 737 MAX will return to the skies Wednesday with a flight by Brazilian carrier Gol, the airlineconfirmed. Gol, the first company to resume commercial flights with the now-overhauled jet, said it…

White House proposes new $916 bn stimulus plan to break deadlock

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The White House unveiled a $916billion stimulus proposal in a final dash to break a months-longlogjam over new aid for the coronavirus-stricken US economy before President Donald Trump leaves office in January. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the plan, which he saidincludes “money for state…